Ultimate essential Jewish library?

Question

What would you have?

Answer 1

Hmm:
Mikraot Gedolot on the entire Tanach (That is the Torah, Neviim and Ketuvim with the commentaries of 29 of the Greatest Rabbis)
Talmud Bavli (Two versions I would like- the Artscroll hebrew edition with the additional commentaries in the back, The Artscroll Schottenstein edition - english translation of the Mishbanh and gemorrah)
Talmud Yerushalmi (as above)
Midrah Rabbah
Midrash Tanchumah
Pirkei d'Rabbi Eliezer
Mishnah Torah
HaTur
Shulchan Aruch
Shulchan Aruch HaRav
Mishnah Berurah
The complete works of the Chazon Ish
The complete works of the Chasom Sofer
The complete works of HaRav Moshe Feinstein (or at least Igerot Moshe and Darchei Moshe)
The complete works of Harav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach
Hilchot Shabbos Kehilchata (Summary of Rules of Shabbos by Rabbi Neuberg)

These end ones are for those with a more mystical bent-
and for studying after the ones above:
Zohar al pi Arizal
Zohar Al pi Rav Moshe Cordovero
Sefer Behira
Sefer Yetzira

edit: I see someone has recommended Chaim Potok's books. They may be fun to read- but they are INACCURATE as to how ultra-Orthodox communities work. He has essentially taken all the fringe stories he has heard and tried to cement them into a story- and in the process created something not relfective of the reality at all.

Answer 2

There's a wonderful book called 'The Jewish Connection' by M. Hirsh Goldberg which is one of the most entertaining and enjoyable book I've ever read. It is full of little known and surprising facts/info about Judaism, Jewish people, and so on. I would thoroughly recommend it.

Another great book, fiction this time, is 'The Chosen' by Chaim Potok. A great read for a glimpse into the orthodox Jewish community in America. The sequel, 'The Promise' is also worth reading, but make sure you read them in order.

'Exodus' by Leon Uris is the one novel about Israel that I wish all Jews and non Jews would read. I would strongly recommend it. (this author also wrote 'The Haj' which is about the friendship between a Jew and an Arab. It tackles some of the same events as in 'Exodus' but this time from more of the Arab perspective)

(sorry, I thought you meant in terms of fiction etc, as opposed to religious texts....but I see others are suggesting those, so I won't add them to my post)


Have a star for a great question.

Answer 3

Tanach with assorted commentary (at the very least Rashi)
A set of Mishnayos
Talmud Bavi
Mishnah Berurah
Kitzur Shulchan Aruch

As well as several assorted books on Jewish philosophy, Hashkafah and ethics.

Answer 4

the Bible of course!

Answer 5

hitler? his biography :D